“Pregnant women are incredibly more likely to end up in the hospital as a result of getting the flu and they are more likely to get other illnesses like pneumonia,” said Dr. Terri Thomas.

It could be a matter of life and death. She tells her patients the flu itself is much more dangerous than any flu-like symptoms you may get after the vaccine.

“Pregnant mothers that get the flu vaccine are 40% less likely to end up in the hospital and the really important thing is that they pass immunity to their babies while they’re pregnant,” Dr. Thomas emphasized. “Babies, newborn babies of pregnant moms are 80% less likely to be hospitalized after birth because of flu and flu-like illnesses.”

Health experts say expectant mothers have a weakened immune system. According to the CDC, babies under 6-months-old have the “highest incidence of influenza-associated hospitalizations among children.”

“The other important thing about getting the flu vaccine in pregnancy is for your baby. That’s the key,” Dr. Thomas said.

There are certain challenges to treating pregnant women with the flu since it’s two patients instead of one, so Dr. Thomas says prevention is always better than planning treatment.